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Laser is the future for mouse technology, according to Logitech. Just when it looked like optical mice couldn't improve any more, the peripherals maker has released a laser-equipped rodent it claims will make conventional LED-based optical mice obsolete.

The new device, it's claimed, has laser emitted scans that are 20 times faster than LED and work on high-gloss surfaces that would normally stop an optical mouse in its tracks.

In practice, the difference is remarkable when comparing the MX1000 Laser to any standard red light model (the laser is virtually invisible to the naked eye, so there's no glow to the mouse). Surfaces where a LED mouse wouldn't register movement proved no problem to the MX1000. This high-end model is pitched at gamers, graphic designers and CAD users, and it does perform brilliantly in fast action gaming.

What's more remarkable is the fact that it is cordless, communicating to an USB receiver on a radio frequency. It's not Bluetooth, though, which is still reserved for Logitech's most expensive model. There are no batteries to replace - the mouse is rechargeable. The USB receiver doubles as a charging dock, resembling a kind of futuristic throne where the mouse sits upright.

The MX1000's shape is heavily sculpted and is one of the most comfortable shapes Logitech has conceived. A three-segment LED battery gauge sitting between the thumb and index finger keeps you appraised of the power.

The obligatory scroll wheel is framed by "cruise" buttons above and below for scanning up and down pages with ease. The wheel also now rocks side to side for horizontal scrolling, like Microsoft's tilt-wheel. There are two more buttons that are handy for going back and forward in a browser, and an application switcher above the thumb recess. Logitech has done a brilliant job of making this high-performance technology both comfortable and easy to use.